Matt Thurber
Editor-in-Chief

Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.

Latest from Matt Thurber

Operations

Floating Fleet AI Expands To Serve Broader Market

Scheduling software helps companies reduce costs and improve efficiency
Floating Fleet AI software
Charter & Fractional

Sweet Helicopters Breaks Indy 500 Passenger Record

Race teams and fans took advantage of flights from four locations to turn two at the track
Sweet Helicopters flying passengers to the Indy 500 race
Safety

Jet Linx Pauses Operations for 10th Annual Safety Summit

Charter operator closes for one day each year to promote safety practices
Jamie Walker, executive chairman, Jet Linx
Maintenance and Modifications

Avcon Adds Two Special-mission STCs for Challengers

Fuselage rail system and radome approvals expand the company’s offerings
Challenger 600 jet with Avcon radome
Aircraft

Otto Establishes Phantom 3500 FAA Certification Basis

G-1 issue paper is complete and progress is being made toward first flight next year
Otto Aerospace Phantom 3500
Rotorcraft

Airbus H145 Joining Uncrewed Helicopter Arena

First flight is expected at the end of 2026 and entry into service in the early 2030s
Airbus Helicopters' U145 uncrewed, autonomous helicopter
Maintenance and Modifications

Bluetail Releases AI-powered Aircraft Records System

Features free up maintenance teams for more critical work
Bluetail aircraft records management system
Rotorcraft

Helicopter Express Picks TracPlus Mission Platform

System tracks and shares information with all appropriate parties
Helicopter Express S-64 Skycrane
Accidents

Successful Landing after Cirrus Vision Jet Engine Failure

Pilot elected not to use the parachute and glided to Athens Airport
Cabin Interior and Electronics

EASA Approves Skyservice Gogo Galileo for Challengers

STC opens market for satcom system in European markets
Gogo Galileo HDX satellite communications system
Safety

Aviation Insurer Develops Low-level Hazard Warning Tool

App’s heat map highlights risks in areas where helicopter might fly
Class A Insurance app shows risk areas
Aircraft

SyberJet Aircraft To Unveil SJ36 Mockup on October 19

Stretched version of the SJ30-2 will accommodate nine occupants
SyberJet SJ36
Finance, Taxes, Insurance

Flight Options Finally Wins IRS Management Fee Tax Case

Decision reverses opinion that would have resulted in a $39 million judgment
Aircraft

ANAC, EASA Validate Citation M2 Gen2 with Autothrottles

Opens opportunities for sales in Brazil and Europe
Cessna Citation M2 Gen2
Training and Workforce

Training with Icarus Device Inoculates against IIMC

Instructor controls the opacity to replicate flying in clouds
Flying helicopter with Icarus view-limiting device
Operations

Wingbits Launches AI-based Flight Data Agent Searches

Company’s network offers participants rewards for capturing ADS-B information
Wingbits flight tracking
Maintenance and Modifications

Eclipse Aero Says It Has about 3 Years of Parts in Stock

Company counters claim that components won’t be available
Article image
Maintenance and Modifications

Alpha Wingman Advisory Board Paves Roadmap for Future

Will help provide input on future products and improvements
Avionics

Garmin SmartCharts Now Available on Pilot Web

Procedures simplify view by decluttering unnecessary information
Garmin SmartCharts
Maintenance and Modifications

Heli-One Opens S-92 Customer Support Center in Brazil

Facility will offer MRO services and parts for South America operators
Heli-One's new Cabo Frio, Brazil center of excellence
Training and Workforce

JCAB Qualifies Loft VR Simulator to FTD Level-7

Virtual reality training platform is first in Japan and Asia-Pacific
Loft Dynamics level-7 virtual reality simulator
Training and Workforce

FlightSimExpo To Feature 70+ Simulation Exhibitors

Set for June 12 to 14 at Minnesota’s Saint Paul RiverCentre
FlightSimExpo
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Apcela, Liberty Partners Team on Bizav Wi-Fi Upgrades

Field-approval installations available for a variety of classic business jets
Apcela Dual ATG connectivity system
Airports

EASA Bulletin Warns About Jet-A Versus Jet A-1 Issue

Could affect airports in Europe, Africa, Australia, India, and Southeast Asia
jet-A fuel tanks on airport
Aircraft

Eclipse 500/550 Supplier RAS Liquidating and Closing

Manufacturer and repair station for critical components plans to destroy all tooling
Resurgent Aviation Solutions Eclipse 500 jet
Cabin Interior and Electronics

EASA Grants Major Change Privilege to Lufthansa Technik

Company can approve own STCs for Airbus A320ceo cabin modifications
Lufthansa Technik’s Design Organisation
Maintenance and Modifications

DAS and AQRD Partner on Phenom 300 Engine Inlet Fix

Repair involves replacement of 700 rivets and a detailed inspection
DAS Aviation Embraer Phenom 300 engine inlet repair
Maintenance and Modifications

FDH Unites Hardware, Electronics Divisions at Bengaluru

New site to be led by Adhavan Kamalanathan and Victor Bharath
FDH Aero
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Pro Star Installing Starlink at Customer Locations

On-The-Fly program saves owners from having to fly airplane to MRO’s facility
Pro Star Aviation
Maintenance and Modifications

Mexico Approves HondaJet APMG S Upgrade Program

Package is available for classic and earlier modified models
HondaJet APMG S upgrade program